Bioreactor paradigm for the production of secondary extra-particle hyphal matrices

Abstract

The invention describes a methodology for production of a secondary extra-particle fungal matrix for application as a mycological material, manufactured via a Type II actively aerated static packed-bed bioreactor. A pre-conditioned air stream is passed through a substrate of discrete elements inoculated with a filamentous fungus to form an isotropic inter-particle hyphal matrix between the discrete elements. Continued feeding of the air through the substrate of discrete elements and isotropic inter-particle hyphal matrixes develops an extra-particle hyphal matrix that extends from an isotropic inter-particle hyphal matrix in the direction of airflow into a void space within the vessel.

1 .- 11 . (canceled) 
     
     
         12 . A mycological material comprising:
 an aerated inter-particle hyphal matrix, the aerated inter-particle hyphal matrix consisting essentially of: a filamentous fungus and a substrate of discrete elements; and   an aerated extra-particle hyphal matrix growing from the aerated inter-particle hyphal matrix, wherein the aerated extra-particle hyphal matrix has a higher cell volume density than the aerated inter-particle hyphal matrix, a higher anisotropy than the aerated inter-particle hyphal matrix, and a higher hyphal strand thickness than the aerated inter-particle hyphal matrix.   
     
     
         13 . The mycological material of  claim 12 , wherein the aerated inter-particle hyphal matrix and the aerated extra-particle hyphal matrix are aerated with a preconditioned air. 
     
     
         14 . The mycological material of  claim 13 , wherein the aerated extra-particle hyphal matrix is positively gravitropic. 
     
     
         15 . The mycological material of  claim 13 , wherein the aerated extra-particle hyphal matrix is negatively gravitropic. 
     
     
         16 . The mycological material of  claim 13 , wherein the preconditioned air is horizontal through the aerated inter-particle hyphal matrix and the aerated extra-particle hyphal matrix, thereby causing the aerated extra-particle hyphal matrix to be horizontal and parallel to the flow of the preconditioned air. 
     
     
         17 . The mycological material of  claim 13 , wherein the preconditioned air comprises one or more of: air, a paramorphogen, a volatile compound, or an aromatic compound. 
     
     
         18 . The mycological material of  claim 17 , wherein the paramorphogen is one of: a terpene or an alkyl pyrone. 
     
     
         19 . The mycological material of  claim 13 , wherein the preconditioned air is preconditioned to have a target temperature and a target humidity. 
     
     
         20 . The mycological material of  claim 13 , wherein the preconditioned air flows laminarly from the aerated inter-particle hyphal matrix to the aerated extra-particle hyphal matrix. 
     
     
         21 . The mycological material of  claim 12 , wherein the aerated extra-particle hyphal matrix is a target thickness. 
     
     
         22 . The mycological material of  claim 21 , wherein the target thickness is up to 12 inches. 
     
     
         23 . The mycological material of  claim 12 , wherein the aerated inter-particle hyphal matrix is disposed within a bioreactor, wherein the thickness of the aerated extra-particle hyphal matrix is a function of the temperature of the bioreactor, a volumetric air flow rate of the bioreactor, an incubation time of the mycological material, and a constituency of a preconditioned air passing through the bioreactor. 
     
     
         24 . The mycological material of  claim 12 , wherein the discrete elements of the substrate are lignocellulosic particles. 
     
     
         25 . The mycological material of  claim 12 , wherein the filamentous fungus is  Ganoderma tsugae.    
     
     
         26 . The mycological material of  claim 12 , wherein the aerated extra-particle hyphal matrix comprises a second substrate. 
     
     
         27 . The mycological material of  claim 26 , wherein the second substrate is cotton fiber. 
     
     
         28 . A mycological foam, meat substitute or biomedical material comprising the mycological material of  claim 12 . 
     
     
         29 . The biomedical material of  claim 28 , wherein the mycological material mimics vessels of vasculature. 
     
     
         30 . A cellular scaffold comprising the aerated extra-particle matrix of  claim 12 .